Taxiing at Sunset - B-17 "Aluminum Overcast"

Taxiing at Sunset - B-17 "Aluminum Overcast"

Framed by a vivid northern Virginia autumn sunset, B-17 G “Aluminum
Overcast” rumbles along toward the ramp after her last flight of the day.

Viewing this scene, I could imagine her saying to the small aircraft parked
at Manassas Regional Airport, “Oh, the stories I could tell you little fellers…”

Only in this case, they’d not be “war stories,” as this WW2-era Boeing Flying Fortress was built after the war had ended in Europe, where the type mostly saw service. No, the stories would probably be more like the misty eyed recollections she has inspired in WW2 vets who’ve had the chance to go up in her, including pilots (*)…the wide-eyed enthusiasm of her passengers or simply visitors of all ages…and the TLC she gets from the dedicated EAA volunteers who keep her shiny and ship-shape and her four big radial engines in throaty top-tune, as she calls at airports throughout the U.S.

A proud old gal…and a pleasure to shoot her on this perfect autumn day.

©2016 Steve Ember
(*)https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/flight-experiences/aluminum-overcast-eaa-b-17-bomber-tour/b-17-flight-experience